Jan 28, 2014

The Runner Newb

I've mentioned a few times on here that I've started training for my first ever half-marathon. Just typing that statement is terrifying, challenging and exciting all at once. The only races I've ever done have been a handful of 5ks, and even then, it's been a long time since I did those consistently.

Skinny Me at 5ks in 2010-2011

A half-marathon is just something I've always wanted to be able to say I've done… at least once! I'm following a training program to the best of my ability, and also hitting the weights hard with Jared a few times a week. Even though I have a long way to go, it has been exciting to push myself little by little each week. I remember last fall it was a struggle for me to even run 10 minutes without feeling like my lungs were going to collapse!

So today we're talking runner stuff. Whether you're a "new" runner like me, an experienced marathoner, or somewhere in between, I want to hear it all! The more runners I meet, the more motivated I feel.

Five Inspirational/Motivational Runner Blogs

1. The Lady Okie - She has SO many good tips and has been incredibly helpful with my questions.

2. A Balancing Act - I have followed her blog for a LONG time and she constantly motivates me to keep after my fitness goals.

3. Under Armour Victory workout tanks; all-time favorite! I picked up one of these at the outlets a few months back and I wish I'd bought one in every color. So comfortable and breathable.

Two Upcoming Races I'm Doing

1. Shamrock Shuffle 10k - March 8th

2. Flying Pig Half Marathon - May 4th

One Running Goal This Week

1. I'm still a rookie-runner and I'm definitely building up my mileage sloooowly but surely. I'm hoping to get a 4 mile run in this week. Now, no laughing! I'll get those miles up soon! ;)

So all you runners or running "newbs" out there… what can you add to this list? Who are some of your favorite running bloggers? What songs get you running faster? Any favorite runner-gear recommendations? Goals for the week or month?

47 comments:

Blog: www.shutupandrun.net. she gives you a no-holds-barred account of long distance running. Music: Britt Nicole' s "Gold" album. There's a song that features Lecrae that puts a spring in my step. :) I think it's called Ready or Not.

No laughing here - I'm inspired by your running journey daily!!! It's relatable and inspirational and I can't wait to keep following your journey to see how far you've come by the time May 4th rolls around! That Flying Pig better watch its back! ;)

I'm so dang proud of us girl...I cannot wait to cross that finish line holding hands!!!!!!!!! I'm so serious. Thanks for constantly keeping me motivated. I told Caleb that 4 mile run has to happen for me before next week! So scary, but you've got this!!

& yeah -- isn't that song amazing?! Ha I feel like I can run forever when its on!

Hey thanks for the shoutout! I think 4 miles is AWESOME. Seriously! I'm excited for you to do the flying pig. I know a few diff. running bloggers who do that one regularly, and it sounds like so much fun!

You rock!! Keep up the great work!! You'll be up to 12+ miles in no time at all :)I definitely recommend good running sneakers - Saucony are my fave! And it's great you're hitting the weights too - I noticed a huge difference in my running once I combined weight training with running. Believe it or not you'll need that upper body strength (especially if the course is hilly!!!) On your longer distances I recommend Gu Energy Gel (get the chocolate - tastes JUST LIKE frosting!) maybe around mile 8 or 9 (just drink lots of water afterwards otherwise it could upset your stomach) Just have FUN!!

Love that quote there at the end. Sometimes I let myself get consumed with... "Am I going fast enough/far enough?" I've never read that quote before, so wow! Thank you for that!! Best of luck with your training!! Thanks for the song suggestions, there are a few I haven't heard of!! =)

Awesome list girl! I am always on the lookout for new running songs. And don't feel embarrassed about hoping to do four miles this week, that is a GREAT run and you will be building your mileage up before you know it! I am only running on average 3 right now too so its totally okay!

Burn by Ellie Goulding is a sneaky pump up song, and I love those!! Try Shake it Off by Florence and the Machine too, one of my absolute favs!! Good luck with your training, I trained last year for a half marathon that ended up being cancelled womp womp :(

Yes! You don't expect it to be that pumped-up and then it is! I have some old school Florence+machine but def need to updated! PS- You're a noreply blogger and couldn't find an email address to get back to you at!

I love reading about your running journey! You definitely inspire me! Music makes such a difference for me when I run. I love that feeling when a song makes you feel unstoppable :) Some of my favorites are Pompeii- Bastille, Can't Hold Us- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Dear Boy- Avicii, and Summertime Sadness- Lana Del Ray (the fast version). I'm excited to follow along with your awesome journey :)

Have you done the shamrock shuffle 10K before? Good race, but LOTS of hills. It'll be great pig practice!Consider signing up for the Beer Series. They are all super fun races, and it was a great way to get my hubs to run races WITH me!

I am just starting to run for the first time. My coworkers talked me into doing the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8K at the end of March. I started doing the couch to 5K program 2 weeks ago. All was going well, but now I've been getting terrible shin splints :( REally bummed about it but want to keep training.

I love reading www.runeatrepeat.com. She's great! Also, good luck on your half! I am a running newbie, too, and just completed a 5K. So, I love your quote. I didn't run the fastest (far from it), but I ran. Mostly... :)

Thanks for the blog lists - I always love finding new blogs! I've done mostly 5ks myself and last year I did the Flying Pig 10k. Haven't decided if I'm going to go for the half this year or not but I know I need to decide soon! Good luck on your training!

Great lists! I'm a seasonal runner. I only run when the weather is nice because I'm too chicken to run in the cold and I don't have a gym membership. Kind of sucks, but our apartment will have a fitness center so I'm excited to utilize it! Good luck training for your marathon! I know you'll do great!!

Get it, get it, get it! I can't wait to hear more about your running and races. I literally play all of those songs when teaching class and make my students run in place and do a crazy amount of jumping jacks, but what else are you supposed to do with that awesome music?!

I am definitely a new runner as well and the fact that you can run 4 miles is AWESOME to me! The most I've done nonstop at this point is 2 or 2.5. I can go longer distances if I take breaks but running nonstop is really hard for me! The Lady Okie has been a great blog to follow as I get more into it. Excited to hear more about your training!!!

I started running last year after never being athletic in my life! I was running all through last year and took a break at the end of the year and I'm just starting back up. Nice to be able to follow another new runner! I'm signed up for a half marathon on May 3rd and another on November 1st. Small races between now and the end of the year too! I look forward to following your progress and I love the encouragement the blog community can offer! Good luck on your new journey!!

That is seriously so encouraging to hear! I get nervous that I've waited too long to 'be a good runner' but I know I can do it! Sounds like we'll be running half-marathons on the same weekend, I love it!! PS- You're a noreply blogger and I couldn't find an email address to respond to you at!

Half's are AWESOME! :) I ran my second one last November in Savannah and hit sub-2 hours and it was the biggest high of my life! :) I love running because even though I don't compete in sports anymore, running races still makes me feel like a badass. I'm slowly but surely working up the courage to sign-up for my first full marathon! And it may be old school but my favorite song to listen to when I'm hitting the "wall" is "Lose Yourself" by Eminem... it never gets old. :)

you go girl! you and kayla are going to kill the half marathon! what training program are you using? i looove old navy's activewear, especially the capris, and they are always having sales!and thanks for the list of running blogs, going to check them out!

Yay running!!! My 3-year running anniversary is in April (yes I keep track, haha). I hated running my entire life and could count on my hands the total number of miles I'd run in my life, but I started Couch to 5k and something happened and I fell in love. I've run 6 halfs and ran my first full 10 days ago. Good luck with your training for your half! Honestly, not even the full was as life-changing of an experience as crossing the finish line of my first half. You'll never forget it! Can't wait to read more about it!

Four miles is perfect at this point in your training! You don't want to increase mileage too quickly...I've made that mistake before and injuries followed. My current favorite running song is Britney Spears - Work B*tch. It makes me want to push myself to go faster and I love it! I can't wait to hear more about your training...I am so excited for you! :)

4 miles is awesome! I'm obsessed with three out of the four songs you listed, so I'm off to listen to the fourth straight away. As for fave running bloggers, I'm weirdly obsessed with Nicole at LifeLessBullshit.com. Check her out! :) She only blogs once a week, but it's always epic.

I love following your running journey! I remember being in your same position before my first half marathon and had so many emotions and thoughts! Celebrate each accomplishment big and small - you deserve it for getting out there and doing something tough! I can bet money this won't be your last half :)

You are so awesome!! I love the rap song, Boots with the Fur (not sure of the real name, ha!). It pumps me up! So great you've signed up for 5ks already because knowing they are coming will keep you excited and running regularly. And 4 miles is great!! Goooo Erin :)

Hi! I started running/walking in 2011. I was finally able to run the complete distance of a 5k in the fall of 2012. My husband and I ran our first 5k for the Cyclones season opener in October 2013 (I am 40 years old, and my husband is 44). We also ran the A Christmas Story 10k in Cleveland on December 7th. I recommend both of these races, if you haven't tried them before. I would like to run both a half and full marathon at some point. I have thought about running the Flying Pig half this year, but I am not sure I could get enough training beforehand. My husband and I have not been running as much since the 10k, so I really have to get back to it.

Do you just run outside, or do you also run on the treadmill? I prefer running outside, but do not like this cold weather we are having here in Ohio. I did buy a pair of Tek Gear Warm Tek Fleece lined tights Friday night and ordered a pair of these https://www.skirtsports.com/shop/product.cfm/id/5007-Tough-Girl-Skirt--Hot-Legs#.UukXSZWPLIU this last weekend. I am hoping that these will help me feel more comfortable running outside.

Hey Connie- thanks for your comment!! I've never done either of those races but they are definitely ones I'll keep in mind! Looking forward to the Flying Pig for sure! I run outside when it's not this cold haha, so for right now I'm on the treadmill until we get some warmer days.

I love this. I am SO impressed you're doing a half...there is just no way I could do it. I do want to work on becoming a runner and maybe even enjoy running - so these songs and blogs and tips are amazing!

Awww thanks so much for the shout out love! I appreciate it so much! I'm super excited for you and your first half marathon! I know that you're going to dominate your training and totally rock your race :) Can't wait to follow your journey!

Good for you! I don't have much to offer because I am a newbie runner, too. I just think running is SO HARD! It's on my bucket list to complete a 5K and actually run the whole time... I've never done it before! So I'm definitely going to bookmark this post for post-pregnancy inspiration!